Television Review: One of Our Planets Is Missing (Star Trek: The Animated Series, S1X03, 1973)

One of Our Planets Is Missing (S01E03)

Airdate: September 22nd 1973

Written by: Marc Daniels
Directed by: Hal Sutherland

Running Time: 22 minutes

Franchises, even those celebrated for their innovation, do not need to reinvent the wheel with every entry to maintain their appeal. Star Trek, in particular, has long thrived on borrowing from its own well of ideas while adapting them to new contexts, and The Animated Series exemplifies this principle. Among its episodes, One of Our Planets Is Missing—the third instalment—serves as a prime illustration of how a show can synthesise existing concepts into a coherent, compelling narrative without sacrificing the essence of its ethos. While the episode’s plot may lack originality, its execution stays true to Star Trek: The Original Series’ (TOS) spirit, balancing ethical dilemmas, technical jargon, and character-driven drama. For fans who value continuity and the franchise’s core themes over novelty, it is a satisfying entry that proves adaptability can be just as vital as innovation.

The episode’s script, written by Marc Daniels—a director closely associated with TOS’ most celebrated episodes—reveals his clear debt to prior Trek storytelling. Daniels, who helmed classics like The Doomsday Machine (a story featuring a similarly planet-consuming antagonist), draws heavily on that episode’s premise while also nodding to The Immunity Syndrome, where the crew confronts a mysterious, life-threatening entity. The resulting narrative feels like a hybrid of these two stories, but Daniels’ skill lies in refining these elements into a cohesive plot that avoids redundancy. His ability to infuse the script with TOS’ signature blend of urgency and philosophical inquiry ensures that the episode transcends its borrowed bones.

The Enterprise, exploring the outer reaches of Federation space, encounters a colossal, planet-devouring entity that consumes celestial bodies in its path. The next target is the Mantilles colony, a thriving settlement of 85 million residents led by Bob Wesley (voiced by James Doohan), a former Starfleet officer and old comrade of Captain Kirk. With evacuation deemed impractical, the crew must find a way to destroy the entity before it reaches Mantilles. The solution hinges on Scotty’s ingenuity, as he repurposes the entity’s antimatter protrusions to power the Enterprise’s warp drive. Meanwhile, Spock discovers the entity is sentient, forcing Kirk to grapple with the moral weight of destroying a living being. Ultimately, Spock employs a mind meld to negotiate with the entity, persuading it to abandon its destructive path—a resolution that aligns with Star Trek’s optimistic, life-affirming worldview.

The plot’s structure mirrors classic Trek episodes, particularly in its emphasis on ethical quandaries. Kirk’s debate over whether annihilating a “living space cloud” is justifiable mirrors similar moral conflicts in TOS. However, Daniels’ script deepens this tension by framing it as a choice between utilitarian sacrifice and compassionate coexistence. The inclusion of Wesley—a character from The Ultimate Computer—adds a personal stake, as Kirk’s loyalty to his friend amplifies the urgency of saving the colony. This interplay between duty, empathy, and technical problem-solving is the episode’s backbone, ensuring it remains anchored in the show’s core values even when its premise feels familiar.

For many fans, One of Our Planets Is Missing epitomises “classic Trek”—a term often reserved for episodes that adhere rigorously to Gene Roddenberry’s utopian vision. The narrative never shies from its family-friendly tone, prioritising peaceful resolution over violence, a hallmark of Roddenberry’s optimism.

This approach is bolstered by the animation medium, which allows for visual spectacle that live-action TOS could not easily achieve. The entity’s colossal form, the Enterprise’s precarious navigation within its structure, and the climactic mind meld all benefit from the flexibility of animation, creating a more dynamic portrayal of the plot’s stakes. Yet despite these visual enhancements, the episode remains fundamentally rooted in TOS’ DNA—a reminder that The Animated Series was not merely a stopgap but an extension of the franchise’s creative possibilities.

Daniels’ script strikes a deft balance between accessibility and the technobabble that defines Trek’s identity. While the dialogue occasionally simplifies concepts to cater to younger audiences—such as straightforward explanations of the entity’s mechanics—the episode retains the show’s trademark jargon. The result is a script that appeals to both casual viewers and dedicated fans, maintaining Trek’s reputation as a show that intertwines adventure with intellectual curiosity.

The episode’s strengths extend to its continuity with earlier TOS episodes. The reappearance of Bob Wesley, a character introduced in The Ultimate Computer (where he played by Barry Russo), is a subtle but meaningful touch. Voiced by James Doohan—a seasoned Trek voice actor—Wesley’s presence reinforces the show’s interconnected universe while offering a nostalgic callback. The choice to recast him, however, raises minor inconsistencies; Doohan’s portrayal, while competent, lacks Russo’s gravitas, slightly diluting the character’s impact. Still, the inclusion of familiar faces underscores The Animated Series’ commitment to expanding the TOS universe rather than existing in isolation.

One of Our Planets Is Missing succeeds not by breaking new ground but by honing existing Trek tropes into a polished, emotionally resonant story. Its plot may borrow from earlier episodes, but its adherence to the franchise’s ethical ideals, its seamless blend of action and philosophy, and its use of animation to enhance spectacle make it a worthy addition to the canon.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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